Remote sports wagering system

ABSTRACT

At a wagering terminal that is remote from a central site, a person makes a wagering choice on a sporting event and posts an amount of a wager. The wagering choice and the amount of the wager are downloaded from the remote site to the central site. A ticket dispensed to the person has printed thereon the wagering choice, the amount of the wager and the name and location of a casino. When the person wins the wager, a payout is made at the casino upon presentation of the ticket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] This invention is in the general field of sports wagering and, more particularly, is a wagering terminal that is connected to a central site via a communication link.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Gambling facilities of a casino are the subject matter of a marketing strategy that includes providing a wagering terminal that is remote from the casino. Heretofore, the strategy has been used in connection with wagering on sporting events such as horse races and dog races.

[0005] As described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,409, the strategy is implemented by providing a cable television transmission of racing data to the wagering terminal. The data includes track conditions, odds and other information that a person may consider either essential or desirable prior to making a wager on a horse race, for example.

[0006] Typically, the person maintains a wagering account with the casino. When the person makes the wager, the account is debited by the amount of the wager. When the person wins the wager, the account is credited by the amount that the player wins.

[0007] A disadvantage of the system described in the '409 patent is that it does not attract the person to the casino; it does exactly the opposite. It would be preferable to attract the person to the casino upon the person winning the wager, thereby providing a circumstantial guarantee that the person has money to spend. While in the casino, the person has an opportunity to play roulette, craps, blackjack and any other games managed by the casino.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An object of the present invention is to attract people to a casino.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a terminal that is remote from a casino where a wager on a sporting event may be placed by a person.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a convenient way to wager on a sporting event.

[0011] According to the present invention, data related to a sporting event that is transmitted from a central site is displayed at a wagering terminal. A person posts an amount of a wager on a wagering choice at the terminal. The amount and the wagering choice are transmitted from the terminal to the central site. A ticket is dispensed at the terminal. Printed upon the ticket are the amount, the wagering choice and a name of a casino. When the person wins the wager, a payout is made at the casino upon presentation of the ticket.

[0012] When the person wins the wager, the ticket dispensed at the terminal is said to be a winning ticket; it is said to be a losing ticket when the person loses. Winning and losing tickets may be used in a drawing at the casino. A winner of the drawing is paid cash and frequently given a promotional item.

[0013] Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention should be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0014]FIG. 1 is a pictorial block diagram of major components of a wagering kiosk;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a logic flow diagram of a process for making a wager on a sports event;

[0016]FIG. 3 is a plan view of a touch screen of a video display that shows a starting image;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a plan view of the touch screen of FIG. 3 that displays sports wagering options;

[0018]FIG. 5 is a plan view of the touch screen of FIG. 3 that displays a roster of professional football games;

[0019] FIGS. 6-8 are plan views of the touch screen of FIG. 3 that shows wagering displays related to a football game;

[0020]FIG. 9 is a plan view of the touch screen of FIG. 3 that displays an image of an inquiry as to whether an additional football wager is desired;

[0021]FIG. 10 is a plan view of the touch screen of FIG. 3 that displays an image of an inquiry as to whether a wager on another type of sporting event is desired;

[0022]FIG. 11 is a plan view of the touch screen of FIG. 3 that displays a settle and confirm image prior to a person making either a payment or a credit transaction related to a wager; and

[0023]FIG. 12 is a plan view of the touch screen of FIG. 3 that displays the settle and confirm image of FIG. 11 after the person makes either the payment or the credit transaction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0024] In this embodiment, a kiosk is a wagering terminal that is constructed and maintained in accordance with standards similar to those used in construction and maintenance of a site of an ATM machine. As explained hereinafter, a person makes a wager on a sporting event at the kiosk.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, a kiosk 10 has therein a video display 12 with a touch screen 14 that is operable as an output device and an input device. More particularly, the touch screen 14 is used as an output device that provides a display of data relevant to sports wagers and other information that might be of interest to the person. The touch screen 14 is used by the person as an input device to make the wager. Video displays with touch screens are well known in the art.

[0026] Within the kiosk 10, a modem 16 is connected to a central site (not shown) through either telephone lines (not shown) or high speed networking lines that are a communication link between the central site and the kiosk 10. A network card may be used as an alternative to the modem 16.

[0027] An essential feature of making the wager is posting the amount that is wagered. A bill validator 18 within the kiosk 10 is operable to receive currency when the person chooses to post the amount in cash. The bill validator 18 is a security device that rejects counterfeit currency.

[0028] A card reader 20 in the kiosk 10 is used when the person desires to post the amount by using a credit card to create a credit transaction. Additionally, the credit card or other player tracking card may be used for player tracking and marketing purposes. Bill validators and card readers are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0029] After making the wager, a betting ticket is disgorged by a ticket printer 22 within the kiosk 10. Upon winning the wager, a payout is made upon presentation of the betting ticket as described hereinafter.

[0030] The display 12, the modem 16, the bill validator 18, the card reader 20 and the ticket printer 22 are connected to a digital signal processor 23 via a plurality of signal lines 24 to form a special purpose computer 25. The processor 23 provides signals that cause the elements to operate as described hereinbefore. All aspects of the wager are downloaded from the special purpose computer 25 to the central site and vice versa via the communication link. In this embodiment, the central site is a casino. Signal processors and special purpose computers are well known in the computer art.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, a flow diagram includes an action block 26 with a statement therein that a display of an initial image is provided on the touch screen 14.

[0032] Correspondingly shown in FIG. 3, the initial image is of a message of general interest about an upcoming sporting event (Monday Night Football), a Tuesday night drawing, an advertisement of buffet dining and a start button 28.

[0033] The block 26 (FIG. 2) is connected to a decision block 30 at an input thereof. Within the block 30 is the question, “HAS THE START BUTTON BEEN TOUCHED?” A “yes” output of the block 30 is connected to an action block 32 that carries therein an instruction to “DISPLAY NAMES OF TYPES OF SPORTING EVENTS”. A “no” output of the block 30 is connected to the input of the block 30. In other words, the instruction to “DISPLAY NAMES . . . ” awaits the touching of the start button 28.

[0034] Correspondingly shown in FIG. 4, in response to the person touching the start button 28 (FIG. 3), an event type image 34 is displayed on the touch screen 14. The image 34 includes pushbuttons 41-48 with type names professional football, college football, professional baseball, boxing, professional golf, professional basketball and specialty lines, respectively, thereon. Additionally, a central portion of the image 34 includes an instruction, “select an event type”.

[0035] The block 32 (FIG. 2) is connected to an action block 50 that carries therein the words, “SELECT EVENT TYPE”. The block 50 is connected to an action block 52 that carries therein the words, “DISPLAY ROSTER FOR EVENT TYPE”.

[0036] Correspondingly shown in FIG. 5, in response to the person touching the pushbutton 41 (FIG. 4), a roster of professional football games is displayed on the touch screen 14.

[0037] The block 52 (FIG. 2) is connected to an action block 56 that carries therein the words, “DISPLAY WAGERING CHOICES FOR A SELECTED EVENT”.

[0038] Correspondingly shown in FIG. 6, in response to the person touching the words “Denver 3.5 OAKLAND” of the football roster (FIG. 5), a wager image 57 related to a football game between the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders is shown on the touch screen 14. A Denver straight wager box 58 and an Oakland straight wager box 60 of the image 57 have data therein related to straight wagers on Denver and Oakland, respectively. A straight wager on Denver is chosen in response to the person touching the box 58. A straight wager on Oakland is chosen in response to the person touching the box 60.

[0039] An over wager box 62 and an under wager box 64 of the image 57 have data therein related to an over wager and an under wager on the football game, respectively. The over wager is chosen in response to the person touching the box 62. The under wager is chosen in response to the person touching the box 64.

[0040] The image 57 further includes a Denver money line wager box 66 and an Oakland money line wager box 68 having data therein related to money line wagers on Denver and Oakland, respectively. A money line wager on Denver is chosen in response to the person touching the box 66. A money line wager on Oakland is chosen in response to the person touching the box 68. Straight wagers, over and under wagers and money line wagers are well known in the art.

[0041] A column 70 of the image 57 is headed by the words “CURRENT WAGERS”. There are no entries in the column 70. The block 56 (FIG. 2) is connected to an action block 72 that carries therein the instruction, “MAKE WAGERING CHOICE FOR SELECTED EVENT”. The person may, for example, choose a straight wager on Oakland by making a first touching of the box 60 (FIG. 6).

[0042] Correspondingly shown in FIG. 7, in response to the first touching of the box 60, a wager image 57A is provided whereon a box 61 appears within the column 70. The box 61 is a replication of the box 60.

[0043] The block 72 (FIG. 2) is connected to an action block 74 that carries therein the instruction, “SELECT AMOUNT OF WAGER”.

[0044] Correspondingly shown in FIG. 8, in response to the person making a second touching of the box 60, a wager image 57B is provided whereon the amount, $50, appears within the box 61.

[0045] Additionally, the amount, $50, is entered within a box 76 that is headed by the words, “TOTAL WAGERED”.

[0046] In other words a fifty dollar straight wager on Oakland is made in response to the second touching of the box 60. A third touching of the box 60 increases the straight wager on Oakland to one hundred dollars. In a similar manner, the straight wager on Oakland is further increased.

[0047] In response to a touching of the box 61, the wager on Oakland is canceled thereby causing the amount, $50, to be removed from the boxes 61, 76 in the wager display 57B. In a manner similar to that described hereinbefore, the person can make or cancel a money line wager, an over wager and an under wager.

[0048] A box 78 of the display 57B has the words “FINAL CHECKOUT” therein. The person touches the box 78 when the person does not desire to make an additional wager on the Denver v Oakland football game.

[0049] The block 74 (FIG. 2) is connected to a decision block 80 that carries therein the question, “ARE MORE WAGERS DESIRED FOR THE EVENT TYPE?”. A “yes” output of the block 80 is connected to the block 52. In other words, the person is permitted to make an additional wager on a professional football game as described hereinbefore.

[0050] Correspondingly shown in FIG. 9, in response to the person touching the box 78 (FIG. 8), an image of the question, “DO YOU WANT TO MAKE ANOTHER PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL WAGER?” appears on the touch screen 14. Additionally, images of response boxes 84, 86 appear with the words, “YES” and “NO”, respectively, therein. In response to the box 84 (YES) being touched, the football roster (FIG. 5) is displayed on the touch screen 14 as a prelude to the person making an additional professional football wager.

[0051] A “no” output of the block 80 (FIG. 2) is connected to a decision block 82 that carries therein the question, “IS A WAGER ON ANOTHER TYPE OF SPORTING EVENT DESIRED?”. A “yes” output of the block 82 is connected to the block 50 whereby the person is again permitted to select an event type for a sports wager.

[0052] Correspondingly shown in FIG. 10, in response to the person touching the box 86 (FIG. 9), an image of the question, “DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A WAGER ON ANOTHER TYPE OF SPORTING EVENT?” appears on the touch screen 14. Additionally, images of response boxes 88, 90 appear with the words, “YES” and “NO”, respectively, therein. In response to the box 88 being touched, the image 34 (FIG. 4) is displayed and an event type is selected as described hereinbefore.

[0053] A “no” output of the block 82 (FIG. 2) is connected to an action block 92 that carries therein the words “SETTLE AND CONFIRM WAGERS”. The block 92 is connected to the block 26. In other words, after all of the person's wagers are settled, the initial image is provided on the touch screen 14. The settlement and confirmation of wagers is described hereinafter.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 11, a wager completion and confirmation display 94 is provided on the touch screen 14 in response to the box 90 (FIG. 10) being touched. The display 94 includes a summary of the person's wagering activity.

[0055] As a first element of the summary, a box 100 of the display 94 is headed by the word, GAMES, where sporting events upon which wagers were made are listed. As an example of the listing of the sporting events, within the box 100 are two pairs of entries. A first pair of entries is for a football game between the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders. The first pair of entries are given as: 100 Denver Broncos −3.5 101 Oakland Raiders +3.5

[0056] The numbers, 100, 101 in the first pair of entries, known as betting numbers, are assigned at the central site. A purpose of the betting numbers is to obviate an error that may be caused when, for example, there is a Denver Bronco hockey team as well as the Denver Bronco football team. The numbers, −3.5 and +3.5, are germane to a straight wager on the football game.

[0057] A second pair of entries within the box 100 is for a basketball game between the Seattle Supersonics and the Utah Jazz. Betting numbers, 205, 206, are assigned to the Supersonics and the Jazz, respectively. The numbers, +6.5 and −6.5, are germane to a straight wager on the basketball game. Therefore, the wagered upon sporting events are the football game and the basketball game.

[0058] As a second element of the summary, a box 102 of the display 94 is headed by the words, YOUR BETS. Within the box 102 is a list of wagers made by the person and an amount of each of the listed wagers. In accordance with the list, the person made a fifty dollar straight wager on Oakland and a fifty dollar straight wager on the Jazz.

[0059] As a third element of the summary, a box 104 of the display 94 has therein the words, TOTAL WAGER. Within the box 104, a total amount of money wagered by the person is given; the total wager is given as one hundred dollars.

[0060] As a fourth element of the summary, a box 106 of the display 94 has therein the word, BANK. Within the box 106, an amount of money posted by the person is given; the posted amount is given as zero.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 12, in response to the person either depositing one hundred dollars within the bill validator 18 or using a credit card to create a one hundred dollar credit transaction, a display 108 provides a showing of a posted amount of one hundred dollars within the box 106.

[0062] The displays 94, 108 includes a box 110 with the notation, <<back, therein. In response to the person touching the box 110, the image shown in FIG. 10 (DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A WAGER ON ANOTHER TYPE OF SPORTING EVENT?) appears on the touch screen 14 whereby the person may make another wager as described hereinbefore.

[0063] A box 112 with the word, cancel, therein is included in the displays 94, 108. The person touches the box 112 to cancel the listed wagers and cause the initial image (FIG. 3) to be shown on the touch screen 14. When the person has previously posted a wager amount, the touching of the box 112 causes a cancellation ticket to be dispensed by the printer 22. The cancellation ticket states the previously posted wager amount and designates a payout casino.

[0064] The cancellation ticket is presented at the sports book of the payout casino. It should be understood that the cancellation ticket carries encrypted information, such as a bar code, for security reasons. After executing a validation procedure, personnel of the payout casino make a payout of the previously posted wager.

[0065] The displays 94, 108 include a box 114 with the word, accept, therein. The person touches the box 114 when the listed wagers, the amount wagered and the posted amount are in accordance with the person's wishes. In response to a touching of the box 114, the printer 16 dispenses a betting ticket stating the listed wagers, the amount wagered and the name of the payout casino. The betting ticket, like the cancellation ticket, carries encrypted information for security reasons.

[0066] When the posted amount shown in the box 106 exceeds the total amount wagered shown in the box 104, the person has made an over payment. In response to the touching of the box 114 when there is the over payment, the printer 16 dispenses a cash voucher for the amount of the over payment in addition to the betting ticket. The cash voucher carries encrypted information for security reasons.

[0067] The cash voucher is presented at the sports book of the payout casino. After executing a validation procedure, personnel of the payout casino redeem the cash voucher. Therefore, although the cash voucher is dispensed for the overpayment or the person cancels the listed wagers, an objective of getting the person to go to the payout casino is fulfilled.

[0068] Upon winning any of the wagers, the betting ticket is presented at the sports book of the payout casino. After executing the validation procedure, the payout casino personnel make a payout.

[0069] Preferably, the displays 94, 108 include a time remaining counter 116 that provides a showing of a starting number prior to a posting of money. After the person posts an amount of money that is at least equal to the amount wagered, the starting number is decremented by one each second. When the person does not touch any of the boxes 110, 112, 114 before the starting number is decremented to zero, there is a cancellation of the listed wagers.

[0070] The displays 94, 108 additionally include a help button 116. In response to the person touching the button 116, a help display (not shown) on the touch screen 14 provides answers to questions that the person may have in connection with making a sports wager.

[0071] In one embodiment, the central site is operable to download advertisements, audio and video messages and video highlights of games in progress to the special purpose computer 25.

[0072] In another embodiment, the central site is operable to download aspects of a promotional ticket to the special purpose computer 25. The promotional tickets are dispensed by the ticket printer 22 and used, for example, for free drawings and store discounts. Additionally, the promotional tickets may be used for free play at gaming machines at a bar, for example. 

We claim:
 1. In the method of wagering on a sporting event at a terminal that is remote from a central site, comprising the steps of: determining a wagering choice of a person on an outcome of the sporting event; posting an amount of a wager on said wagering choice at the terminal; transmitting said wagering choice and said amount from the terminal to the central site; dispensing a betting ticket at the terminal whereon said amount, said wagering choice and a payout site are printed; making a payout at said payout site upon presentation of said betting ticket when the person wins said wager.
 2. In the method of claim 1 wherein the step of posting comprises the step of depositing money into a bill validator.
 3. In the method of claim 1 wherein the step of posting comprises the step of using a credit card to create a credit transaction.
 4. In the method of claim 1 wherein said payout site is a casino.
 5. In the method of claim 1, comprising the additional steps of: providing a communication link between the terminal and the central site; transmitting data related to the sporting event from the central site to the terminal via said communication link; and displaying said data at the terminal.
 6. In the method of claim 5, comprising the additional step of transmitting said wagering choice and said amount to the central site from the terminal via said communication link.
 7. In the method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining comprises the steps of: displaying on a touch screen of a video display a start button in an initial image; and displaying an event type image on said touch screen in response to a touching of said start button, said event type image including a plurality of pushbuttons that have a name of a type of sporting event thereon.
 8. In the method of claim 7 wherein a message of general interest is included in said initial image.
 9. In the method of claim 7 wherein said step of determining comprises the step of displaying on said touch screen a roster of sporting events of a given type in response to the person touching one of said pushbuttons.
 10. In the method of claim 9 wherein the step of determining comprises the additional step of selecting a sporting event of said given type in response to a touching said touch screen.
 11. In the method of claim 10 wherein the step of determining comprises the additional step of displaying on said touch screen wagering choices for said selected event.
 12. In the method of claim 11 wherein the step of determining comprises the additional step of making said wagering choice by touching said touch screen.
 13. In the method of claim 13 comprising the additional step of canceling said wagering choice in response to a touching of said touch screen.
 14. In the method of claim 12, comprising the additional steps of: providing a display on said touch screen that is touched to indicate that the person does not desire to make an additional wagering choice; and providing a display of a summary of wagering activity on said touch screen in response to said indication that the person does not desire to make said additional wagering choice.
 15. In the method of claim 14 wherein said step of providing said summary display includes the steps of: displaying a listing of wagered upon sporting events; displaying a list of wagers made by the person and an amount wagered on each of the listed wagers; displaying a total amount that is wagered; and displaying a total amount of money posted.
 16. In the method of claim 15, comprising the additional steps of: including a cancellation box in said summary display; touching said cancellation box to cancel said listed wagers; dispensing a cancellation ticket in response to said touching of said cancellation box, said cancellation ticket having printed thereon said total amount of money posted and said payout site; and making a payout at said payout site upon presentation of said cancellation ticket.
 17. In the method of claim 15, comprising the additional steps of: providing an accept box in said summary display; and dispensing said betting ticket in response to a touching of said touch box.
 18. In the method of claim 17 comprising the additional steps of: providing a time remaining counter in said summary display, said time remaining counter showing of a starting number prior to a posting of money at least equal to said total amount wagered; decrementing said starting number by one each second after said posting of money at least equal to said total amount wagered; and canceling said listed wagers when said accept box is not touched prior to said starting number being decremented to zero. 